Automatic mailbox signal



Oct 8, 195 7 w. T. ARMSTRONG 2,808,982

. AUTOMATIC MAILBOX SIGNAL Filed Sept. 14, 1954 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct.8, 1957 w. T. ARMSTRONG v 8,

AUTOMATIC MAILBOX SIGNAL Filed Sept 14, 1954 s sheets sheet 2 Oct. 8,1957 w. T. ARMSTRONG AUTOMATIC MAILBOX SIGNAL 3 Sheets-Sheet s v FiledSept. 14; 1954 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent f AUTOMATIC MAEBOX SIGNAL William T. Armstrong,Prairie View, Ill. Applicationseptemb'er 1451954,'SerialNo. 455,901

s Claims. (Cl. 232==35 Tli'epresent invention rlate'sto an automaticmailbox signal and more particularly to a rural mailbox signal which maybe mounted on any conventional mailbox and which moves aut'omatically'tosignalling position in response to actuation or the door of the ruralmailbox.

'Itis well-recogni'z'ed'thatthe owner of a rural mailbox has noknowledge of when mail or other matter has been deposited inhism'ailboxby the mail carrier. In anticipation of "the mail delivery, the ownerusually "makes repeated trips to the mailbox to'ascertain whether "ornot mail has "been deposited. 'He can many times seethebox 'fromwithinliis home, but unless he-actually 's'ees'the'mailrnan depositthe mail heremains in ignoactuated to signalling position without any extra efforton'the part ofthe mailman. Additionally, such a signal should be capableof being associated withany conventional mailbox in a simple mannerpreferably without the requirementof any tools or -the alternation ofthe mailbox in any manner.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved mailbox signal whichmay readily be associated with the mailbox,without the necessity of altering any .part of a-conventional=mralmailboxand preferably without the requirement of any toolswhatever.

It is another object of thepresehtinvention toprovide a-simple foldedsignalling devicefor a mailbox which will be actuatedto a signalling.position by an exceptionally simple mode of operation, as relativemovement occurs between two parts of a mailbox.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedsignal for a mailbox-which'will operate automatically when the mailcarrier performs the single necessary op eration of actuating the coverof the mailbox While depositing mail therein. I

Still another'object of the presentinvention is to provide an improvedmailbox signal which is clearly visible 'at a substantial distance fromthe mailbox when in the signalling'position and yet which is completelyhidden and fairly well protected from the elementsof nature when in thenon-signalling position.

Another object of thepresent invention resides in the provision ofimproved operational parts for a mailbox signal so as to increase itsoperational reliability and secure successfulperformance under anyweather conditions and at the same time to simplify the manufacturingand assembling procedures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedgravity actuated mailbox signal which can readily be attached to anyexisting mailbox.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as thefollowingdescription 2,808,982 Patented Oct. 8, 1957proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the inventionwill be pointed out with particularity in the c'laims'annnexed toand-forming apart of the specification.

6 For a better understanding of the present invention, reference maybehad to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of theconventional ruralmailbox shownwith itscoverin the closed .positionand having associatedtherewith one embodiment of the mailbox signal of the-present inventionillustrated inits non-signalling position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentaryperspective view substantially identic'al to Fig.1-but with the cover of the mailbox illustrated in the open position andwith the'mailbox signal actuated to its signallingposition;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view substantially identical to Fig.1 with the cover of the mailbox inthe closedposition and withthe mailboxsignal in its signalling position;

-Fig. 4 is an enlarged back elevational viewof themailbox'signal-only-of Fig. 1 inthe position of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line Zv'5 of Fig. 4 withanassociatedportion of themailbox showninsection.

Fig. A 6 is a fra-gmentary; perspective of A a rural mailbox with it scoverin theclosedi position and having associated therewith amodification 0f-the rnailbox signal of themescnt invention with .t-he-sig-nal illustrated-in its non-signal- 'lingposition;

7 is a 'fragmentaryiperspective view substantially identical with Fig.6-but with thesignal actuated to its unfolded signalling position;

I Fig. 8is-an enlargedbackelevational view-of the'rnailbox signalonly-of Fig. 6 'in theipositioniof-Fig. 6;

i Fig. 9 is an-enlarged sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8 withan associated: portion of-themailb'ox shown in -section;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a conventional rural-mailbox having associated therewith another embodiment 0f the mailboxsignal'of the "present invention illustrated -in its non-signalling.position;

Fig. 1 1 is a-fragmentaryperspective view-substantially identicalwith-Fig. l0-but with thesignal in. its signalling position;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged back =elevational viewof the mailbox signalonlyofFig. 10 in the-position ofFig. 10;

Fig. 13 is anenlarged sectional -view taken along-the 5Oline-13-13-of-Fig. 12 with anassociated'portion of the mailbox shownin-section;

Fig. 14 isa fragmentary perspective'view of a conventional ruralmailboxhavingassociated therewith "stillaanother embodiment of themailbox signal of the present invention with the signal illustratedinits non-signalling pos tion;

Fig. 15 is-a-fragmentaryperspective view substantially identical withFig. -14-but with the mailbox signal illustrated in itssignallingposition;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged-back elevational view-of the mailbox signalonly-of-Fig. 1'4 inthe1position 'of'Fig. 1'4; and

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken alonglin'e :1717 of Fig. 1 6 with anassociated pportion ofthe mailbox shownin section.

Referring now tothedrawings, thereis generally 1 illustrated a'foldedsignal securedto amovabl'c portion of the'mailbox, which signal isautomatically actuated to itssignallingposition by the-action'of:gravity'when the-mailbox cover is opened. The signalm'ay be secured tothe mailbox in different ways-'asdescribed'in Idetai-l hereinafter. The:folded signal includes a signalling element which is pivotallyconnected at its'lower endwhen in the non-signalling position to therest of the signal so that under the force of gravity it willautomatically pivot about its lower end and depend downwardly to asignalling position.

Referring specifically now to the drawings, there is illustrated inFigs. 1 through 5, inclusive, a first embodiment of the automaticmailbox signal of the present invention. This signal generally indicatedat 10 is associated with the cover 11 of a conventional mailbox 12. Aswill be understood, the rural mailbox 12 of the conventional typeconsists of an elongated closed receptacle for the storage of mail andother matter whose parallel, rectangular longitudinal sides extendupward to form a half cylindrical top. The back end of the receptacle isclosed by an end wall (not shown) while the bottom is closed by a wall13. The front open end is closed by the cover 11 which is adapted to bepivoted at its lower end about a hinged pivot pin 11a between a closed,substantially-vertical position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of thedrawings to an open, substantially-horizontal position as shown in Fig.2. Preferably the mailbox 12 is provided with suitable latching meansfor maintaining the cover 11 in the closed position. Such latching meanspreferably comprises cooperating spring clips 14 and 15, secured to thecover 11 and box 12, respectively, which are readily releasable meansconventionally employed with such mailboxes.

The rural mailbox automatic signal 10 of the present inventionillustrated as associated with the mailbox 12 includes a signallingelement 16 pivotally mounted by hinge means 17 to an intermediatesupport element 18, hereinafter referred to as intermediate element 18,which, in turn, is pivotally connected to a signal mounting element 19,hereinafter referred to as mounting element 19, suitably secured to themailbox 12.

In order to afiix the mailbox signal 10 to the cover 11 of said mailbox12, without the use of any tools and without altering the mailbox in anyway, the mounting element 19 is illustrated as a U-shaped wire elementhaving the ends of each arm of the U formed into a closed loop 19a.These closed loops 19a provide pivotal connections with the intermediateelement 18 which is provided with cooperating openings 18a to receivethe loops 19a. The arms of the U-shaped support adjacent the bightportion are folded back to form a pocket 20 best shown in Fig. 5 of thedrawings clampingly to receive therein the lower edge of the cover 11 ofmailbox 12. Preferably, the mounting element 19 is formed of somewhatresilient or spring wire to insure good clamping action with the cover11. It will be apparent that the mounting element 19 can be secured tothis cover 11 merely by forcing the lower edge of the cover into thepocket 20 which comprises an upward movement of the mounting element 19as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The resilient nature of themounting element 19 will cause it firmly to grip the cover 11 as if itwere integrally united therewith.

To provide a folded signal the intermediate element 18 is pivoted at itsupper edge to the mounting element 19. When the cover 11 is closed asshown in Fig. l the intermediate element 18 hangs vertically parallel tothe cover 11. When, however, the cover 11 is open as shown in Fig. 2 theintermediate element 18 again hangs vertically but now it issubstantially perpendicular with the cover 11. In other words, theintermediate element 18 hangs freely and remains in a consistently,substantially-vertical position during the pivotal rotation of both themailbox cover 11 and the attached mounting element 19. In short, theangle of incidence between the intermediate element 18 and the cover 11will range from to 90 as the mailbox cover 11 is pivotally rotated fromits closed, substantially-vertical position to its open,substantially-horizontal position.

To pivotally connect the lower edge of the signalling element 16 asviewed in Figs. 1 and of the drawings,

which is illustrated as a generally rectangular member, but which mighthave any other shape, to the intermediate element 18 the hinge means 17are provided which merely may be wire loops extending throughcooperating openings 16a and 18b in the elements 16 and 18,respectively, at the adjacent edges thereof. The hinged relationship ofthe elements 16 and 18 provides the folded signal of the presentinvention which may assume a folded or overlapping non-signallingposition or an unfolded or extended signalling position.

When the mailbox cover 11 is in a closed position and the signal 10 isin the folded non-signalling position, the signalling element 16 isdisposed in a substantially vertical plane, between the cover 11 and theintermediate element 18 which intermediate element hides it from view.The force of gravity maintains the element 18 vertical under theseconditions and prevents the signalling element 16 from moving out ofthis non-signalling position. When, however, the cover 11 is moved tothe open position, the intermediate element 18 tends to stay verticalwith the result that it swings away relative to the cover 11 and nolonger restrains the signalling element 16 between it and the cover 11,whereupon the signalling element 16 pivots about pivot means 17 to theextended or unfolded position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Evenafter the cover 11 has been moved to the closed position as shown inFig. 3, the signalling element 16 in its unfolded signalling positionextends below the bottom of the mailbox 12 and provides notice to allthat a mail delivery has been made or at least that the cover 11 hasbeen actuated.

Preferably the signalling element 16, at least on the surface exposedwhen in its signalling position, but usually on both surfaces, isprovided with a readily visible surface. These surfaces might be coloreda bright, readily visible color or preferably there might be appliedthereto some paint or fabric which can be seen for substantialdistances. Such material is indicated in somewhat of an X pattern anddesignated at 22 in the drawings.

The mailbox signal 10 may be easily reset to the nonsignalling positionof Fig. l by a simple manual operation. When the mailbox cover 11 is inthe closed position one can merely pivot the signalling element 16 abouthinge means 17 behind the element 18. When the mailbox cover 11 is inthe open position one can similarly pivot the signalling element 16behind the intermediate element 18 and then hold these elements in thisposition while moving the mailbox cover 11 from its open position to itsclosed position.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of thefolded signal means 10 will readily be understood and hence no furtherdiscussion will be included herewith. It will be appreciated, however,that a very simple signal means is provided which can be attached to amailbox in a simple manner without the requirement of any tool. Theoperation of the signal is positive and resetting is very simple. It canreadily be applied to any new or old mailbox.

It will be understood that the intermediate element 18 of Figs. 1 to 5is merely a support for the signalling element 16 and it need not takethe rectangular form illustrated. Thus, in Figs. 6 to 9, of the drawingsthere is illustrated a modification of the mailbox signal 10 generallydesignated as 10 in which every element with the exception of theintermediate element 18 is the same as in the preceding embodiment. Thecorresponding parts of Figs. 6 to 9 are designated by the same referencenumerals as in the preceding figures. Instead of the intermediateelement 18 which merely acts as a support for the signalling element 16there is provided another intermediate element in the form of a pair ofparallel wire-like elements 23 and 24 provided with loops 23a and 2441,respectively, at the upper ends and loops 23b and 241'; at the lowerends, respectively, thereof.

mounting element 19 by engagement with the loops 19a of mounting element19 as clearly shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 9 of the drawings. The loops 23band 24b similarly make hinging connection with the lower edge as viewedin Figs. 6 and 9 of the signalling element 16 by engaging the openings16a therein. The functional operation of the parallel members 23 and 24is identical to the functional operation of intermediate element 18described heretofore.

In the arrangements described thus far the mailbox signals 1t) and aredesigned for frictional attachment to any conventional rural mailboxwhich can be accomplished without the use of tools and without alteringthe mailbox in any way. For factory installation of the foldable signalof the present invention the mounting element 19 could have many forms,one of which is shown in Figs. 10 to 13 of the drawings. This signalgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 25, is identical with thesignal 10 just described except that instead of the mounting element 19a mounting element 27 is provided. The corresponding parts of Figs. 10to 13 are designated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 6 to 9of the drawings.

As illustrated, the mounting element 27 is of somewhat V-shape with theapex of the V formed into a loop 27a and the ends of the arms of the Veach provided with a loop 27b. The loop 27a may be secured to the cover11 of the mailbox by a rivet screw or other fastening means specificallyindicated as a bolt 29. The loops 27b are hingedly related to theparallel supports 23 and 24 just as these supports were hinged to themounting element 19 in the preceding embodiment. It will be understoodthat the mounting element 27 might be dispensed with and instead loopsfrom the cover 11 could be punched out to hinge with the intermediateelement which intermediate element could be the members 23 and 24 of theintermediate element 18. Moreover, the mailbox signal 25 can be attachedby the mailbox owner to an existing box merely by drilling a small holein the cover 11 and attaching the signal with the bolt 29. Thefunctional operation of the mailbox signal 25 is identical with thatdescribed for the signals 10 and 10.

In Figs. 14 to 17 of the drawings there is illustrated still anotherembodiment of the present invention employing a foldable signallingelement with modified means for securing the same to a mailbox. Thissignal generally designated at 30, comprises the intermediate supportelement 18 of Fig. 1 hingedly related to the signalling element 16 bythe hinge loops 17. Instead of the mounting element 19 an entirelydifferent mounting element 31 is provided comprising a plate 31a and anextension member 31b one end of which is secured to the plate 31a andthe other end of which is terminated in a hook 32. This hook 32 isadapted to receive therein the lower edge of the mailbox cover 11.Unlike the mounting element 19 this hook alone will not secure themounting element 31 to the cover 11. To further secure the mountingelement 31 there is provided a tension spring 34 having one endconnected to the plate 31a and the other end connected to a hook member35 which is shaped to readily engage the latch memher or spring clip 14which is conventionally provided on rural mailboxes. The tension springtherefor maintains the hook 32 in engagement with the lower edge of themailbox cover 11 thus firmly supporting the mailbox signal 30 inposition. Suitable hinge member 36 hingedly relate the intermediateelement 18 and the plate 31a. The mailbox signal 36, except for themeans of supporting the same from the mailbox, functions in exactly thesame way as in the preceding embodiments.

It will be appreciated that the intermediate element 18 which is alwaysvisible provides an excellent surface to which the mailbox owners namemay be applied. In Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings there is illustratedthe indicia 40 which can be applied directly to the plate orintermediate element 18 or which may be on a separate plate 41 suitablysecured to the intermediate element 18.

While there have been illustrated several embodiments of the mailboxsignal of the present invention, it will be apparent that numerouschanges and modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in theart. It is aimed in the appended claims to cover all those changes andmodifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. In a mailbox of the type having a pivotally mounted cover disposed ina generally vertical position when closed and movable to a nonverticalposition when opened, a mailbox signal comprising a signal mountingelement including means for securing said element to said pivotallymounted cover, a gravity-actuated signal ing element movable between asignaling and a nonsignaling position, an intermediate support elementpivotally mounted at its upper end to said mounting element to swingabout a horizontal axis parallel to the pivotal axis of said cover inorder to be pivoted relative to said cover incident to its opening, thelower end of said intermediate support element pivotally supporting saidsignaling element at one end thereof in its nonsignaling positionbetween said intermediate element and said cover and in its signallingposition beneath said intermediate support element, said intermediatesupport element pivoting relative to said cover during opening movementof said cover to permit said signaling element to pivot about the lowerend of said intermediate support element under the force of gravity intoits sig naling position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said signaling element is pivotallysupported by hinge means interconnecting the lower end of saidintermediate support element and one end of said signaling element.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said signal mounting element isremovably secured to said cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,483,255 Tonge Feb. 12, 1924 2,438,314 Dalton Mar. 23, 1948 2,581,880Price Jan. 8, 1952 2,707,075 Van Duzer Apr. 26, 1955

